Common Sense Safety Tips That Can Save You In Africa

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You might have heard some ugly incidences involving drivers, which spurs up serious debate on the security situation on our roads. You think that your car is new and that it cannot break down? Think again. “The Beast” the Cadillac One or whatever you call the car that Obama uses broke down, right in the middle of the road in Jerusalem. Any car can break down. However much you may believe you are safe as a driver, you need to take some additional precautions that will at least guarantee your safety. Here are a few useful safety tips that drivers will find beneficial and very appropriate.

Keep doors locked and windows up when in your car

To ensure your safety while in your car, lock the doors of your car unless you are opening it for someone you really know. You will reduce the chances of being attacked when you keep the windows of your car up and tight especially when you are driving along isolated regions.

Obama’s car the “beast” seen in its full gloryImage source: http://cache.gizmodo.com/

Do not give lifts to strangers!

We know you got a great heart, but this is Africa and great heart has seen many people end up in the morgue. You know why? In Africa, a car is a status symbol. If you have it, you must have money. You are therefore considered ripe for ransom. Well, it is understandable that there will always be genuine cases of strangers needing lifts, you will need to use your head in such cases to determine whether you will give lifts to strangers.

Always be alert on the road

If you are keen, it is easier to detect suspicious behavior among persons in the parking lot. If you see strangers lurking around in the parking lot for some time, you should consider alerting the authorities. Still, you may consider being wary of looming dangers and avoiding the ugly incidences that might follow by disappearing from the vicinity. However, you will have the discretion on what you can do, Trust your hunch. Its never wrong. If you think that hombre looks dangerous, he is!

Always tell a friend whenever you are on a journey

As much as we might not be control of what might happen to ourselves when journeying, it is always prudent to let a close friend know where we are headed. This is the best behavior considering that this is Africa, meaning that anything could happen. If/and when it happens, it will be easier for friends and family to trace you.

Equally, it is advisable to call the friend or family after some specified duration of your journey. This is most important if the journey is long. Even for short journeys, keep the concerned parties updated all the time.

A hijacking operation gone bad in South AfricaImage source: http://roadsafety.co.za/

Service your vehicle

This practice will save you much frustration later on in your journey since it will reduce the chance of vehicle breakdown. This situation may worsen if the break down happens on one of your long journeys.

Know your destinations

As much as you profit from getting destination guidance from a local, it is safer to undertake your research in the bid to understand the destination by yourself. This is important because some strangers may provide you with misleading information that will compromise your security in the new destination. Consider taking advantage of recent technology in guiding your journey.

Safe parking

To ensure the security of your vehicle, always park in a well-lit parking space at night. Use parking lots with good security systems in place.

Learn defensive driving

A driver is smart, but it is smarter to learn defensive driving. You hope you will never need it, but then you really cannot tell, can you? Thankfully, in Africa, many driving schools now offer this course. Even if you don’t learn defensive driving, common sense will save you. For example, keeping a full tank eliminates the chances of your car stalling on the road.

Big car being towed to the garageImage source: http://ournomadicways.blogspot.com/

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James Ogwera is an experienced writer from Nairobi, Kenya. An auto enthusiast, James
loves gathering information and news about cars and Africa. He loves the development that is happening so fast in Africa, transforming it to a lucrative market for vehicles and technology.